Preparation of a pseudo vesicular stomatitis virus containing avian influenza virus hemagglutinin protein

Objective To construct a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) containing hemagglutinin protein (HA) of H6N2 avian influenza virus.

Methods The H6N2 subtype avian influenza virus complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) was used as a template to amplify the HA gene and was ligated to the pcDNA3.1 + vector. VSVΔG*-G virus infection was used to prepare VSVΔG*-HA pseudo virus. The VSVΔG*-HA virus of the recombinant gene was assayed and its hemagglutination activity was measured.

Results The recombinant expression vector pcDNA3.1-HA was successfully constructed. The HA protein was expressed in 293T cells. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the successful packaging of VSVΔG*-HA pseudo virus. Activity test showed that the VSVΔG*-HA pseudovirus has similar hemagglutination activity to that of avian influenza virus.

Conclusion The pseudo VSV containing H6N2 avian influenza virus HA protein is safe and reliable, and could provide a technical support and ideas for further research and screening of anti-influenza drugs for avian influenza virus receptors.